Warren H. GfellerGovernor Laura Kelly appointed Emerick Cross, Lauren Queal Sill, and Warren Gfeller to the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission.
“The conservation of our wildlife and natural resources is critical for the future of our state,” Kelly said. “Emerick, Lauren, and Warren are passionate about conservation, and I know they will work hard to ensure that Kansans have the opportunity to utilize and admire our natural resources. We are lucky to have them on the team.”
The commission works to conserve and enhance Kansas’ wildlife and provide the public with opportunities for the use and appreciation of the state’s natural resources. The governor appoints all seven members of the commission, one from each fish and wildlife administration region.
Warren Gfeller, Russell, is currently manager and owner of Stranger Valley Land Co. LLC. Previously, he was the president, CEO, and a director of Ferrellgas, Inc. Gfeller received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Kansas State university, and is currently a member of several public and private boards and foundations. He is an Oakley native.
Emerick Cross, Kansas City, currently serves as the director and commission liaison for the unified government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, County Administrator’s Office. Previously, he served as the director of the Transportation and Parking Control Departments for Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas. Cross received a master’s degrees in public administration, a master’s degree in business administration essentials, and a bachelor’s degree in communication studies, all from the University of Kansas. He also holds an associate degree in pre-law from Kansas City, Kansas community College.
Lauren Queal Sill, Hutchinson, currently serves as a physical therapist for USD 308, AccucareTX, and Angels Home Health Care Agency. She holds a master’s degree in leadership from Denver Seminary, a master’s degree in physical therapy from Wichita State University, a master’s degree in athletic training/exercise science from Western Michigan University, and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Wichita State University.
The governor’s appointments to the wildlife and parks commission are not subject to Senate confirmation.
Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.3 percent in July. This was down from 3.4 percent in June and unchanged from 3.3 percent in July 2018.
“July marks the second consecutive month the unemployment rate declined in Kansas, falling to 3.3 percent,” said Secretary Delía García. “The unemployment rate is one of the most familiar labor statistics and represents the percentage of our labor force that is available and interested in finding a job.”
The unemployment rate in Ellis County rose from 2.4 percent in June to 2.8 percent in July, while Trego County experienced more than a full percentage point increase — from 2.4 percent to 3.5 percent.
Nearly every northwest Kansas county showed an increase in jobless claims, with the exception of Rooks County, which fell slightly but remains the area county with the highest unemployment rate at 4.3 percent.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 2,500 from June. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 3,700 from the previous month.
“Preliminary estimates for July show Kansas added 2,500 jobs over the month. Additionally, job estimates for June were revised upward by 2,100 jobs,” said Senior Labor Economist, Tyler Tenbrink. “Looking back over the last 12 months, Kansas has posted a notable increase of 14,200 jobs.”
Since July 2018, Kansas gained 14,200 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 14,000 private sector jobs.
The Fort Hays State baseball team will hold walk-on tryouts on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Larks Park.
Those interested must complete the required medical paperwork and turn it in to the athletic compliance office (Cunningham Hall 134) by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21. Students will not be allowed to participate in tryouts if they fail to submit the attached paperwork (pre-participation physical and tryout form/sickle cell waiver) along with a copy of their insurance card before the 4 p.m. deadline on August 21.
Participants need to wear shorts or baseball pants, a short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt, hat and spikes or turf shoes. Individuals should also bring their own glove and catcher’s equipment (if applicable), while bats, balls and helmets will be provided.
Contact coach Jay Sanders with any questions via email – [email protected] – or by phone – (785) 628-4724.
Updates on managing many Kansas crops will be highlighted
Kansas State University’s Agricultural Research Center in Hays will provide updated management strategies for numerous Kansas crops when it hosts the annual fall field day on Wednesday, August 21.
There is no cost to attend the event, which takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided. The research center is located at 1232 240th Avenue in Hays.
The schedule includes a series of field tours beginning at 9 a.m., including:
Pearl millet hybrid performance
Grain sorghum hybrid performance
Occasional tillage in wheat-sorghum-fallow rotations
Integrated weed management in soybeans
Pre- and post-herbicide options for weed management in grain sorghum
Imidazolinone-tolerant grain sorghum: A new technology for weed control.
The afternoon includes a look at insect management in soybeans; and a presentation on alternative crops for western Kansas, including field peas and industrial hemp.
Organizers say that pesticide applicators and certified crop consultants can earn up to four hours of continuing education credits by attending this year’s field day.
Interested persons are encouraged to pre-register by calling 785-625-3425. More information, including a list of speakers for this year’s field day, is available online at www.hays.k-state.edu.
Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.
By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development
When on the move, it is always important to find the right pathway. Today we’ll learn about an organization which is helping local communities find the right pathways – in this case, toward healthier living.
During the past two weeks, we’ve learned about K-State Research and Extension’s Culture of Health initiative and local examples of initiatives to support healthy living.
Last week we learned about a food basket program in Leoti. That program was supported by a larger initiative which goes back more than 10 years.
In 2007, Wichita County launched a coalition with a great purpose and a great acronym. The name was Wichita County AIM Coalition. The AIM stands for Add more fruits and vegetables, Increase physical activity, and Minimize screen time. Those are excellent goals toward which to, um, take aim.
The AIM Coalition, including K-State Research and Extension Wichita County, has been very active. They helped start the Healthy Check Challenge, began a 5K fun walk and run, purchased equipment at the fitness center, provided healthy snacks for events, supported walking trail kiosks and exercise stations, provided swimming lesson scholarships, encouraged participation in Walk Kansas, and more.
In recent years, the AIM Coalition accessed a program launched by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. That program is called Pathways to a Healthy Kansas. Virginia Barnes is the director of Blue Health Initiatives for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas.
According to the Pathways website, this is the largest community grant program ever funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. The Pathways program is to provide community coalitions with the tools and resources needed to remove barriers and engage their communities in ways that enable healthy eating and tobacco-free, active living to become a way of life.
The grant funding for each community included a coordination grant of $100,000, with the opportunity to apply for non-competitive implementation and achievements grants amounting to an additional $400,000.
The first round of grants was made in 2016 and included the Wichita County AIM Coalition and seven others. An additional eight coalitions were awarded grants in the second round of funding in 2017.
These grants literally span the state, from Chanute in the southeast to St. Francis in the northwest. They are supporting lots of grassroots efforts to encourage healthy living. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas also offers an online community toolbox of announcements, success stories, and helpful resources.
One example of a success story is the produce basket program in Leoti, as we featured last week. “One of the best things about this program – besides promoting healthy eating and promoting the local grocery store – is that it is proving to be replicable,” said Blue Health Director Virginia Barnes.
For example: Another Pathways grant recipient, Rawlins County, chose to implement the produce basket program at Jamboree Foods in Atwood. In its first week, 95 produce baskets were ordered and the program has grown from there.
“We are proud to partner with Jamboree Foods to provide this great opportunity for our residents,” said Emily Green of K-State Research and Extension – Rawlins County. Atwood is a rural community of 1,194 people. Now, that’s rural.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is committed to the health of all Kansans,” Virginia Barnes said. “We know that access to healthy fruits and vegetables is one important way to help people live healthy lives and reduce their risk of developing a preventable condition such as diabetes or heart disease. We are thrilled to be able to support communities as they find new ways to improve the health of their residents and strengthen food access in their communities through programs such as Simply Produce,” she said.
When on the move, it is important to be on the right pathway. We commend the Wichita County AIM Coalition, Emily Green, Virginia Barnes of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, and all those who are making a difference by encouraging healthy behaviors in their communities. Committed individuals, local coalitions, and supportive philanthropy can help keep us on a healthy path.
This year’s event addresses the timely and relevant topic of climate change and will look at how the current model of annual agriculture negatively contributes to the emission of greenhouse gasses. We seek to answer through our research and educational efforts, how we effect positive change to a perennial landscape.
Other presenters include: Eliza Gilkyson, twice Grammy-nominated musician; Ana Porzecanski, director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History; Carolyn Finney, storyteller and author; Amory Lovins, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute; and Francesca Cotrufo, associate head of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University.
The Festival offers a unique opportunity to interact with some of the world’s most compelling authors, thinkers, artists, and advocates focused on agriculture, food, the environment, science, sustainability, and social and environmental justice.
The Institute’s science staff provides research plot tours and an in-depth update on current plant breeding efforts, ecology work, and partnerships.
There will be food trucks, live music, a Friday night barn dance, sunrise yoga, and more. Come to the event that The New York Times called an “intellectual hootenanny” and what has become a remarkable can’t-miss event on the prairie.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mike Montgomery outpitched Noah Syndergaard, and the Kansas City Royals ended their scoreless drought Friday night in a 4-1 victory over the New York Mets.
The hottest team in the majors until this week, the Mets have lost four of five after a 15-1 stretch propelled them into the crowded NL wild-card race. They dropped the series opener in a rematch of the 2015 World Series won by Kansas City in five games.
Montgomery (3-5) pitched six strong innings and allowed just one unearned run on five hits while striking out three and walking two. It was the second consecutive start in which he didn’t permit an earned run, following seven smooth innings Saturday in a 7-0 win over Detroit.
The left-hander is 2-3 with the Royals since they acquired him from the Chicago Cubs.
Ian Kennedy tossed a scoreless ninth for his 21st save in 24 opportunities. He retired Amed Rosario on a bases-loaded grounder to end it.
The Royals, coming off back-to-back shutout losses to the St. Louis Cardinals, finally snapped a 22-inning scoreless string in the fifth. And it was the bottom three guys in the lineup who came through. After Ryan O’Hearn singled, Meibrys Viloria and Nicky Lopez followed with consecutive RBI doubles off Syndergaard to give Kansas City a 2-1 lead.
The Royals added a couple of insurance runs in the eighth when Brett Phillips drew a bases-loaded walk from Edwin Díaz, and Bubba Starling singled home a run.
Outside of the fifth, Syndergaard (8-6) gave up little else. He threw six innings and allowed just the two runs on five hits with six strikeouts, snapping a streak of six consecutive starts of at least seven innings. But after an RBI single from Michael Conforto in the third, the Mets couldn’t generate anything else on offense.
SOLER ON A TEAR
Jorge Soler extended his torrid streak at the plate. The Royals’ designated hitter reached base in all four plate appearances with a double and three walks. Over his last nine games, he is hitting .450 with a .639 on-base percentage and a 1.292 slugging percentage for a 1.930 OPS. In that span, Soler has eight home runs and 12 RBIs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (left hamstring strain) threw a two-inning simulated game and looked good, according to manager Ned Yost. The team will see how Duffy feels on Saturday, then decide whether to have him pitch another simulated game or send him out for a rehab assignment. … SS Adalberto Mondesi (left shoulder) took batting practice on the field for the first time since getting hurt July 16.
Mets: Left fielder J.D. Davis exited with a calf problem after beating out an infield single late in the game. … RHP Robert Gsellman was unavailable due to triceps soreness he’s been dealing with for a couple of days. … OF Brandon Nimmo was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class A St. Lucie. Nimmo, on the 60-day injured list, hasn’t played since May 20 because of a bulging disk in his neck.
ROSTER MOVES
Royals: Designated OF Billy Hamilton for assignment and recalled outfielder Brett Phillips from Triple-A Omaha. The speedy Hamilton, who signed a one-year deal with the Royals in the offseason, hit .211 in 93 games and stole 18 bases. Phillips appeared in 36 games for Kansas City in 2018 after coming over in a trade with Milwaukee, but had spent all of this season at Omaha before making his season debut on Friday. In those 36 games, Phillips hit .188 with two home runs.
Mets: Selected the contract of RHP Paul Sewald from Triple-A Syracuse and optioned RHP Drew Gagnon to their top farm club. In addition, RHP Tim Peterson was designated for assignment. This is Sewald’s third stint in the big leagues this season.
UP NEXT
Mets ace Jacob deGrom (7-7) faces Jakob Junis (8-10) in the second game of the series Saturday.
HOUSTON (AP) — A federal appeals court on Friday cleared the way for the U.S. government to forbid Central American immigrants from seeking asylum at the two busiest stretches of the southern border in a partial legal victory for the Trump administration.
In June, migrants who crossed the Rio Grande near McAllen, TX, surrender to U.S. Border Patrol agents. From here, they will be transported to a processing center.- photo courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Patrol
The ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allows President Donald Trump to enforce the policy in New Mexico and Texas, rejecting asylum seekers who cross from Mexico into either state. Under Friday’s ruling, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar’s July 24 order stopping the policy would apply only in California and Arizona, which are covered by the 9th Circuit.
The two busiest areas for unauthorized border crossings are in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley and the region around El Paso, Texas, which includes New Mexico. Nearly 50,000 people in July crossed the U.S. border without permission in those two regions, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.
The policy would deny asylum to anyone who passes through another country on the way to the U.S. without seeking protection there. Most crossing the southern border are Central Americans fleeing violence and poverty, who would largely be ineligible. The policy would also apply to people from Africa, Asia, and South America who come to the southern border to request asylum.
If the policy is implemented, ineligible migrants who cross in New Mexico and Texas could be detained and more quickly deported. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
Under American law, people can request asylum when they arrive in the U.S. regardless of how they enter. The law makes an exception for those who have come through a country considered to be “safe” pursuant to an agreement between the U.S. and that country.
Canada and the U.S. have a “safe third country” agreement. But the U.S. doesn’t have one with Mexico or countries in Central America. The Trump administration has tried to sign one with Guatemala, but the country’s incoming president said this weekthat Guatemala would not be able to uphold a tentative deal reached by his predecessor.
The U.S. government is already turning away many asylum seekers at the southern border.
About 30,000 people have been returned to Mexico to await asylum hearings under the government’s Migrant Protection Protocols program. Tens of thousands of others are waiting in shelters and camps to present themselves to U.S. border agents at official ports of entry that have strict daily limits on asylum seekers.
Mexico’s asylum system is itself overwhelmed, and there are widespread reports of migrants being attacked and extorted . Border cities across from New Mexico and Texas include Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, and Reynosa, all of which are well-known for their violence and gang presence.
Tigar had ruled the policy could expose migrants to violence and abuse, deny their rights under international law, and return them to countries they were fleeing.
The appeals court ruled that Tigar’s order hadn’t considered whether a nationwide order was necessary and that there wasn’t enough evidence presented yet to conclude that it was. The court instructed Tigar to “further develop the record in support of a preliminary injunction” extending nationwide.
Judges Mark Bennett and Milan Smith voted to limit Tigar’s order. Judge A. Wallace Tashima dissented.
Tigar is a nominee of former President Barack Obama. Trump previously derided Tigar as an “Obama judge” after Tigar ruled against another set of asylum restrictions last year. That comment led to an unusual rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, who said the judiciary did not have “Obama judges or Clinton judges.”
Trump nominated Bennett, while Smith was nominated by former President George W. Bush. Tashima was nominated by former President Bill Clinton.
The American Civil Liberties Union and other legal groups sued the Trump administration after it announced the restrictions last month.
“We will continue fighting to end the ban entirely and permanently,” said Lee Gelernt, a lawyer for the ACLU.
BARTON COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Friday in Barton County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Dodge Ram driven by Ashley Bowles, 25, Great Bend was eastbound on U.S. 281 one mile north of Hoisington.
The driver was distracted by cellphone and rear-ended a 1999 Buick LeSabre driven by Lee Depperschmidt, 84, Rush Center, who was stopped waiting to make a left turn into private driveway.
EMS transported a passenger in the Buick Ida John, 78, Lincoln, California. to the hospital in Hoisington where she died. Depperschmidt was transported to a Wichita hospital. Bowles was not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
If you have a concern your child may have a developmental delay or be in need of special education services, call for a free developmental screening with the Hays Interagency Coordination Council on Aug. 23.
Children from ages birth to school age who live in Ellis or Rush counties are eligible to be screened.
Speech, language, vision, hearing, thinking, self-help, behavior and motor development will be checked.
The developmental screenings will be held Friday, Aug. 23. Call 785-625-3257 to set up a free screening appointment for your child.
These developmental screenings are offered monthly and sponsored by the Hays Interagency Coordination Council and Hays USD 489.
The RPM Speedway’s pit concession stand was destroyed during a storm that went through Ellis county Tuesday. (Photos courtesy Jill Pfannenstiel)
By JAMES BELL Hays Post
As cleanup continues across Ellis County from heavy sustained winds during a storm Tuesday, the Ellis County Fair Board is seeking help at 10 a.m. Saturday to begin work to clean up the heavily damaged fairgrounds.
“It took a whole set of bleachers and lifted them up over the rodeo arena and smashed them against the crow’s nest and bucking shoots,” said Jill Pfannenstiel, fair board president. “They are totally destroyed.”
Trees and light poles were also destroyed, along with Rolling Plains Motor Speedway buildings.
The track grandstands were damaged, as well as the commercial building.
“In the race track pit area, they had a scale house that was totally destroyed, along with their concessions building,” Pfannenstiel said.
Damage at the track forced the cancellation of Mod Invasion night planned on Aug. 24, which was one of the larger events for the track with the planned inclusion of NASCAR legend Kenny Schrader.
There is a lot of trash across the fairgrounds, and the board wants to get the destroyed buildings cleaned up in the pit area, Pfannenstiel said. Once the cleanup starts, the full scope of the damage can be assessed.
“We are going to try to salvage what we can, but we want to get them off of there to see what kind of damage we have,” she said.
They are also awaiting an evaluation from their insurance adjuster and are hopeful insurance will cover the cost of repairs.
“It should be (covered), but at this point, I don’t know that if they are going to depreciate stuff so if we will get our money back to replace the bleachers,” Pfannenstiel said.
Even if insurance covers the repairs, planned revenue from the three race events planned at RPM Speedway will not arrive and will hurt not only the track but will have larger economic impact, according to RPM Speedway president Glenn Unrein.
“It’s a blow to the racers and our community,” he said. “Like with the Fall Nationals, you have people travel a long distance — last year from 13 states and Canada — they all come in and rent motels shop here and spend money lodging, food and everything else. It’s a real blow to us.”
Unrein is hopeful repairs can be completed before championship night scheduled for Sept. 21 — the final night for track points for the racers before Fall Nationals on Oct. 4.
“It’s a major event for this community and our race track,” he said of the nationals event.
Around 225 to 250 races cars typically participate in that event and the event cannot be moved to another track.
“No facility in several hundred miles of us could handle the amount of cars and people that come in for that,” Unrein said.
While the rodeo grounds were damaged more significantly, there were no more events planned there for the year.
“We’re lucky there,” Pfannenstiel said.
During the cleanup Saturday, she said she hopes they can get the rodeo bleachers off of the crows’ nest and bucking shoots and is asking that anyone that wants to participate in the cleanup bring gloves, power tools, impacts, socket sets and quick-e saws.
Despite the devastation to the grounds, Pfannenstiel was grateful it was not worse.
“We are thankful that it did not happen during the fair and that nobody got hurt,” she said.
Coffey County Sheriff Randy Rogers says a fourth person suffered severe burns Friday morning while escaping from the home in Burlington. The survivor was flown to an area burn center.
Rogers didn’t identify any of the victims, pending notification of their relatives. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Saturday
